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Writer's picturePoonam Yadav
Mar 22, 20232 min read

2023: The Year of Millets and India's Crucial Contribution to Global Food Security

2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations! India, the largest producer of millets in the world, accounts for 41% of global production. India proposed the resolution to celebrate 2023 as the Year of Millets and the proposal was adopted and supported by more than 70 nations. Year of Millets is used as an opportunity to promote its consumption, production, and research. This initiative aims to increase the consumption of millets and raise awareness about their nutritional value, culinary versatility, and their significance in achieving food security and sustainable agriculture. This blog will explore India’s millet production compared to the world, state-wise millet production, the area under cultivation, yield, and India’s millet export destinations.


India is the largest producer of millet in the world and accounts for 41% of total world millet production (12490 thousand metric tonnes). Nigeria is placed second at 11.52% (shown below).


India ranks highest in millet production. | year of millets | NEEV Research works with profits and non-profits, think-tanks, academic research institutions, CSR and government bodies, policy makers, and the overall socio-development sector on social impact assessments studies; customised baseline and endline surveys; extensive data collection exercises; field & market research; primary & secondary research services; consumer insights; monitoring and evaluation studies; learning, training, and scaling; and social media and digital communication; and data visualisation solutions.

India exports over 50% of its millet to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia (shown below). India exported 53,548 metric tonnes of millet worth ₹135.5 crores to just these two nations. In aggregate India exported 1.59 lakh metric tonnes of millet worth ₹479.6 crores.


India's Millet Export Destinations | Year of Millets | NEEV Research works with profits and non-profits, think-tanks, academic research institutions, CSR and government bodies, policy makers, and the overall socio-development sector on social impact assessments studies; customised baseline and endline surveys; extensive data collection exercises; field & market research; primary & secondary research services; consumer insights; monitoring and evaluation studies; learning, training, and scaling; and social media and digital communication; and data visualisation solutions.

Spatially, there is a strong divergence in State-wise millet production in India. Also, there is a strong year-by-year variation in millet production in India. In 2021-22, over 165 lakh tonnes of millet were produced in India and Rajasthan was the largest millet-producing state at 43.45 lakh tonnes (shown below).


State wise Millet Production | Year of millets | NEEV Research works with profits and non-profits, think-tanks, academic research institutions, CSR and government bodies, policy makers, and the overall socio-development sector on social impact assessments studies; customised baseline and endline surveys; extensive data collection exercises; field & market research; primary & secondary research services; consumer insights; monitoring and evaluation studies; learning, training, and scaling; and social media and digital communication; and data visualisation solutions.

Also, the state-wise area under cultivation of millet follows a similar trend as the production of millet. The total area under cultivation of millets, for the year, 2021-22 was 121.45 lakh hectares and Rajasthan had the largest area under cultivation at 43.63 lakh hectares followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (shown below).


State Wise Millets Area | Year of Millets | NEEV Research works with profits and non-profits, think-tanks, academic research institutions, CSR and government bodies, policy makers, and the overall socio-development sector on social impact assessments studies; customised baseline and endline surveys; extensive data collection exercises; field & market research; primary & secondary research services; consumer insights; monitoring and evaluation studies; learning, training, and scaling; and social media and digital communication; and data visualisation solutions.

However, if productivity/yield is analysed, then it can be observed that, in 2021-22, Andhra Pradesh was the most productive state for millet production. It produced 3336 kilograms/hectare. Gujarat has the second-highest productivity in millet production at 2260 kg/hectare. At all India levels, the productivity is 1359 kg/hectare. It is important to note that productivity and production aren’t synonymous and higher production does not imply higher productivity and vice versa for millet production in India.


State Wise Millets Yield | Year of Millets | NEEV Research works with profits and non-profits, think-tanks, academic research institutions, CSR and government bodies, policy makers, and the overall socio-development sector on social impact assessments studies; customised baseline and endline surveys; extensive data collection exercises; field & market research; primary & secondary research services; consumer insights; monitoring and evaluation studies; learning, training, and scaling; and social media and digital communication; and data visualisation solutions.

In summary, India dominates the global millet production market and is utilizing the International Year of Millets to promote millet consumption, production, and research. The significant variation in state-wise millet production, the area under cultivation, and yield underscores the importance of region-specific agricultural practices. India's millet export destinations are largely concentrated in the Middle East, with the initiative aiming to increase the global recognition of millet’s nutritional value and versatility in food security and sustainable agriculture




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